CULVER CITY, CA (October 11, 2011) - Paula Askanas has been promoted to executive vice president of communications for Sony Pictures Television (SPT), it was announced today by Steve Mosko, president, SPT, to whom she reports.

In this role, Askanas oversees business and trade press, and internal communication for the television company worldwide, disseminating information about the developments, positions and scope of SPT's operations to US and international media and to SPT employees. Her oversight includes work on behalf of the businesses and executive teams for production, channels and distribution in the United States, EMEA, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and India, as well as US advertiser sales.

"Paula's ability to understand both a variety of businesses, as well as the diverse needs of our global operations, has made her a tremendous asset to the company," said Mosko. "As SPT has grown and succeeded, so has she, and her relationships and our exceptional representation in the media are the proof."

SPT currently has more than two dozen shows in production in the US alone, for broadcast (including Pan Am, Unforgettable, Community), cable (including Breaking Bad, Damages) and syndication (The Dr. Oz Show, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!). Internationally, SPT has 15 wholly or jointly owned production companies as well as 120 channels worldwide.

Most recently, Askanas served as senior vice president, media relations for SPT. She joined the company as a director, working on consumer press for the studio's television series, and was subsequently promoted to vice president and senior vice president. Her duties expanded when Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) merged its U.S. television operations in 2001 to create Columbia TriStar Domestic Television, which then became SPT. Askanas' role transitioned from consumer to business communications in 2005 and then expanded again when the group's US and international groups were combined. Before joining the studio, Askanas held posts with Arsenio Hall Communications, CBS and NBC News. She is a graduate of Pepperdine University in Malibu.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. Internationally, SPT is a leader in local language productions around the world, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats in approximately 70 countries. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 120 channel feeds, which are available in 159 countries reaching more than 543 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic, production company Embassy Row and Sony Movie Channel, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, new 3D channel 3net, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.